Rotatable Plug Adapter Resolving Outlet Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adapters for electronic devices often interfere with each other when inserted into power outlets due to their rectangular shape, leading to external impacts and limited usage, especially when multiple adapters are placed in adjacent outlets.
Innovation Solution
An adapter design featuring a plug that can be removably coupled to the body in multiple orientations, utilizing a guide and fixing portion for easy coupling and separation, and a noise filter to reduce electrical noise, allowing the plug terminal to be directed in different directions for improved compatibility and reduced interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the adapter body has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, then the adapter can be easily manufactured and assembled, but external impact may be easily applied to the adapter due to the protruding body when inserted into a power outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is designed to be rotatable relative to the adapter body, allowing the user to change the orientation of the plug terminals by rotating the plug to different angular positions. This rotational degree of freedom enables the plug terminals to be directed toward different directions, resolving the contradiction by providing manufacturing simplicity while allowing impact mitigation through repositioning.
2Device complexity
If the adapter body has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, then the adapter structure is simple, but the usage of the adapter may be limited due to the interference of adapters or plugs placed in adjacent outlets
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is designed with rotational capability relative to the adapter body, adding an angular dimension to the already three-dimensional space occupied by the adapter. This allows the plug terminals to be oriented in different directions, enabling the adapter to fit into tightly spaced outlets by directing the plug toward available spaces, thus improving adaptability without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, introducing dynamic adjustability to the adapter assembly. The user can rotate the plug to different orientations depending on the spatial arrangement of adjacent outlets and plugs, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adaptable one that can accommodate various usage scenarios.
3Device complexity
If the plug terminal is fixed in one direction, then the adapter structure is simple, but the adapter cannot accommodate different outlet configurations and orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is designed to rotate around an axis relative to the adapter body, adding rotational freedom in the angular dimension. This allows the plug terminals to be directed toward different orientations (e.g., upward, downward, leftward, rightward), enabling compatibility with various outlet configurations without complicating the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug incorporates rotational movement capability, transforming from a fixed static connection to a dynamic adjustable connection. The user can rotate the plug to align with different outlet orientations, providing versatility while maintaining structural simplicity through a straightforward rotational mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an adapter having a plug removably coupled to an adapter body. The adapter includes an adapter body including an adapter pin, a mounting portion provided in the adapter body and including a first mounting portion provided on one side of the adapter body on which the adapter pin is disposed, and a second mounting portion provided on another side of the adapter body, and a plug configured to be removably coupled to the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion wherein a plug terminal provided on one side surface of the plug is electrically connected to the adapter pin provided on the one side of the first mounting portion regardless of an orientation of the plug with respect to the mounting portion.